The simplest way to explain what we’d like is scripting without scripts -- essentially a graphical and/or menu driven means of combining and configuring system components and state machines to perform complex tasks and build custom interfaces. Of utmost importance is simplicity, but there should be provisions that would allow more experienced users to extend functionality by accessing advanced features or adding their own features. The base system should be as generalized as possible. Users should have the ability to export configurations from one computer to another across platforms so once a user has built an automation system for a specific application, they can share it with others.

One of our main hardware design philosophies is using common, inexpensive components. We would like system builders to be able to find a majority of what they need at their local electronics store, hardware store, auto parts store, etc. Some of our previous control modules were built entirely from components purchased at Radio Shack and McLendon Hardware. Our current control modules use slightly more exotic, but still readily available components for the sake of lower cost, higher speed, and reliability.